Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports 2018 Britishers in Two Worlds: Maltese Immigrants in Detroit and Toronto, 1919-1960 Marc Anthony Sanko Follow this and additional works at: https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd Recommended Citation Sanko, Marc Anthony, "Britishers in Two Worlds: Maltese Immigrants in Detroit and Toronto, 1919-1960" (2018). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 6565. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/6565 This Dissertation is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by the The Research Repository @ WVU with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Dissertation in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you must obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. 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Britishers in Two Worlds: Maltese Immigrants in Detroit and Toronto, 1919-1960 Marc Anthony Sanko Dissertation submitted to the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History Kenneth Fones-Wolf, Ph.D., Chair James Siekmeier, Ph.D. Joseph Hodge, Ph.D. Melissa Bingmann, Ph.D. Mary Durfee, Ph.D. Department of History Morgantown, West Virginia 2018 Keywords: Immigration History, U.S. History, Canadian History, British History, Diplomatic History, Transnational History Copyright 2018 Marc Anthony Sanko ABSTRACT Britishers in Two Worlds: Maltese Immigrants in Detroit and Toronto, 1919- 1960 Marc Anthony Sanko This dissertation looks at the immigration of Maltese laborers and their families to North America, chiefly Detroit and Toronto, between 1919 and 1960. While the Maltese migration followed similar patterns to other Southern European Catholic or skilled laborers in general, it is different in both their timing and colonial association. Most migrants came to North America in the late 19th and early 20th century, but the Maltese migration occurs largely after World War I and extends through the 1960s – the exact time frame of immigration restrictions imposed by both the governments of the United States and Canada. How the Maltese immigrants were able to skirt these legal restrictions comes down to their imperial standing as part of the British Empire and the skilled trades that many migrants brought with them. Therefore, this dissertation attempts to be both a comparative study of immigration policy and foreign policy between the United States, Canada, and Great Britain, as well as a transnational study of a migrant group that spans not just the transatlantic world but also the North American border. Dedicated to my grandmother, Rose Mifsud. The family stories she tells with such a joy in her heart inspired me to pursue a degree in history, so I could understand the world she so vividly describes. iii Acknowledgments A work of this magnitude is not complete without help from countless individuals in our life, and it is my pleasure to acknowledge those individuals here. My gratitude is immense for all who have helped me on my path. First to the countless archivists from around the world, without whose kindness and aid this dissertation would be sorely lacking. While there have been staff changes at several places, I specifically want to mention the West Junction Historical Society in Toronto for opening their doors late one hot summer afternoon for a traveling scholar and the staff at the Staffordshire Archives in England who prepared the diary of Sir Walter Congreve. The diary was interesting and helpful, but the conversation with the archivists at the end of the day covered a wide range of topics from comparisons of the Midlands to the Midwest, and the rise of populist politicians, to even just talk of sports. It was a joy for someone who loves good conversation with good people. Finally, a million thanks extended to Steven Wejroch, the fountain of knowledge at the Archdiocese of Detroit Archives. The Maltese may not have been the biggest parish, and I enjoyed your conversations about some of the rowdier parishes, but you gave me more support than I could have ever hoped for. For all those academic influences on my life that led to this point, I am forever grateful to you. From AP History teachers in High School, to interesting classes taught by brilliant minds at University of Michigan – Dearborn and Michigan Technological University that helped me shape my intellectual pursuits. Specifically, Mary Durfee who not only mentored me for a short time at Michigan Tech, but has been a great supporter of my Maltese research and has remained a good friend for all these years. I know she is enjoying her retirement, and I was honored to have her on this committee. For the faculty at Edinboro University, particularly my committee members who pushed me to think outside of the Catholic Church connection with the Maltese when I went on for a iv PhD. Two individuals specifically I want to mention from Edinboro, the first being Jerra Jenrette, my committee chair and advisor for my Master’s degree. Jerra has been a wonderful supporter through the whole process. I cherish our friendship and her support in all my academic pursuits. Also on a more somber note, Joe Laythe, who sadly passed from this life in 2016. Diagnosed with cancer at the end of my time at Edinboro, he never once lost his incredible sense of humor, his intellectual tact, or his demanding of students to search for truth and goodness in the world. Laythe also undoubtedly shaped my teaching approaches. I have never seen a man so invested in his students physical and mental well-being and growth. The connections he made with every single student in every single class he taught continues to astound me to this day. Even as he battled his cancer he continued to give energetic, fun, and intellectually challenging lectures that captured students in a way I can only strive to imitate. Joey, you are certainly missed. But don’t worry, “it’s all good” here. My thanks extend to my current committee and those who helped me along the way here at West Virginia University in the Department of History. In five years in Morgantown I have grown not just as a person but absolutely as an academic. That wouldn’t have been possible without the guidance of the whole faculty, but specifically folks who both challenged and aided me early on in the research stage of my dissertation. Without the likes of Jim Siekmeier or Joe Hodge I would have spent hours – if not days – of valuable research time simply attempting to figure out how to navigate the vast collections of the National Archives in the US and the UK. Of course, their expertise in Diplomatic History and British History kept me on my toes while writing this dissertation. Professionally as well I must thank Melissa Bingmann. This dissertation not only worked as traditional academic piece but has transcended to several different public history projects. Being able to bounce ideas off one another over the past five years – from grant v applications, to digital history components, and beyond – has been tremendously helpful. I’m happy to count them all as colleagues and friends today. This dissertation would be a jumbled mess without the guidance of Ken Fones-Wolf. Not only has Ken greatly shaped the way I’ve looked at these sources and the arguments I’ve made, but he has forced me to be a better, more succinct and impactful writer. Wherever you find my argument is clear and concise, you can thank Ken. If you find it still wanders too much, I could take the credit for that failure, or you can blame Ken for not finding my mistakes. I leave that choice to you. I’m sorry Ken, I have been long-winded since the day I began talking but I’m working on it. I also want to thank Ken for his friendship, not only to myself but also to my wife Amanda. It makes a tremendous difference to know your advisor is in your corner both academically and personally. As a family, we have really enjoyed our years in Morgantown and Ken has played a large part in that. Speaking of our time in West Virginia, I also have to give a big written hug to all of those individuals we have met here, many of whom have become close and cherished friends. To the folks of my cohort, those above and behind me in the Ph.D. program especially Justin Power, Luke Gramith, Charles Welsko, Zac Cowsert, Kenny Kolander, Greg Michna, Tyler Krahe, Lacey Bonar, Alex Burns, and Cole Volman. I want to thank you all for the great – and late – nights having drinks chatting about work or life and beyond. Those venting sessions often turned into impromptu roundtables about our shared topics or about potential avenues for our works. Thus, thanks go out hand-in-hand with all the significant others who also hung around and listened to us talk incessantly about history. We appreciate you sticking with us. To my family. I was blessed to grow up so close to extended family, particularly my Aunt Madalyn and grandparents John and Rose Mifsud. Having sleep overs with our cousin, Austin vi Mifsud, at grandma’s house was the pinnacle of childhood fun and made a brother out of a cousin.